Ideal Heating rising star challenges political leaders on hot topics

A talented Ideal Heating apprentice has quizzed elected political leaders at a high-profile business event.

Ben Turney-White is a Product Design Apprentice, working as part of the manufacturer’s Internet of Things (IoT) team, based at Ideal Heating’s headquarters in Hull.

His talent and passion caught the attention of senior executives at Ideal Heating, who put him forward to join a panel of next-generation leaders sharing the stage with senior politicians.

Staged as part of The Business Day at Bridlington Spa, the culmination of Humber Business Week 2025, the event saw Ben challenge leaders on how the region can put apprenticeships at the heart of its strategy to drive a green industrial revolution.

His questions were answered by Hull City Council Leader Cllr Mike Ross, East Riding Council Leader Cllr Anne Handley and the newly-elected Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, Luke Campbell MBE.

Ben said: “As an apprentice engineer, I see the Humber region as being in a unique position to lead the green industrial transition.

“Bold projects like Zero Carbon Humber and Humber Freeport promise major growth, investment and skilled jobs. But for that to happen, we need more talented young people living and working in the region.

“Ideal Heating is investing significantly in green technology and apprenticeships, creating a skilled workforce for the future. This needs to become the norm across the region – for long-term success, we must embrace vocational training and apprenticeships.”

While working as a Product Design Apprentice at Ideal Heating, Ben is completing his academic studies with the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

Born in Beverley, East Yorkshire, Ben attended Beverley Grammar School and Wyke Sixth Form College in Hull, before going to university to study biology.

It was mid-way through the course that Ben decided to pursue a different career path. He reached out to a number of companies, including Ideal Heating, which was quick to invite him for a tour of its Hull site.

On the tour, Ben met with Senior Design Engineer Maria Gillum, alongside Ideal’s Head of IoT Peter Millar and Lead IoT Development Engineer Richard Whitfield.

Having spotted his enthusiasm for product design, Mr Millar worked with Ben to create and shape a role for him at Ideal Heating.

“My team develops innovative, intelligent heating control products that optimise energy use through unique control algorithms and geolocation, automatically adjusting heating schedules based on the homeowner’s location and daily routines,” Ben said.

“Our products also reduce unnecessary callouts for installers and service engineers, allowing many system faults to be identified and resolved remotely without the need for a site visit.”

In his time at Ideal Heating, Ben has built connections with senior executives across the business – including Production Director John Cook and Logistics Director Jimmy Sykes.
He was put forward by Chief Operations Officer Jason Speedy to join a packed-out event at The Business Day.

Questions and topics ranged from apprenticeships and diversity, to supporting more young people to unlock their entrepreneurial spirit and launch their own businesses.

Mr Speedy said: “In the four years Ben has worked with us, we’ve seen him progress massively in his role. He’s impressed his colleagues and senior figures from across the business, and the confidence and belief he has gained has been brilliant to see.

“We were so pleased for Ben that he had the opportunity to be part of such a prominent event, sitting on stage alongside senior political figures and discussing a subject that means so much to him.

“Ben is a perfect example of the opportunities apprenticeships offer young people, and the platforms they can provide into successful and rewarding careers.”

The event was co-hosted and delivered by place promotion organisation Future Humber, Humber Freeport and Humber Energy Board.

Responding to Ben’s question, East Riding of Yorkshire Council Leader, Cllr Anne Handley, said: “For too long, apprenticeships have been seen as secondary to going to university or pursuing higher education opportunities.

“It’s vitally important that we create, and retain, high-level apprenticeships that keep talented young people in our region. We are the Energy Estuary and we need to harness that to create opportunities for the next generation.

“What is hugely encouraging to me is there is a feeling that the region is coming together for the greater good. The Humber wants to work collaboratively to create programmes that look after our young people, for the benefit of everyone.”

Sitting alongside Ben was Marguerite Aduh, a Response Technician at Phillips 66 UK, and Owen Clater, CEO of digital marketing agency Becks & Clates.